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The hospitality industry is witnessing a surge in interest from those over 50 looking for employment opportunities, according to new data from The Springboard Charity.
The charity, which provides hospitality training programmes to the unemployed, has reported an increase in job centre referrals for this age group, with 53% of those aged 50+ taking up training and almost a third securing a position at a UK hospitality venue.
In total, the number of people seeking hospitality training in this age group has more than doubled in the past year, according to the charity’s findings.
It said the surge was particularly noticeable in Scotland, where an over-50s job fair in Glasgow saw visitation increase seven-fold compared to last year’s event. Similarly, a job fair held in Edinburgh also witnessed double the number of attendees compared to the previous year, with many expressing interest in working in hotels and other hospitality-related businesses.
According to Springboard, the reasons behind this increase may include a rise in redundancies following the pandemic, while others “may simply be looking for a change in career direction”. It also noted the hospitality industry has faced “significant” staff shortages in recent years, making it an “attractive option” for those seeking employment.
Chris Gamm, CEO of Springboard, said: “We are delighted to see an increase in the number of over-50s seeking employment opportunities in the hospitality industry. This is a welcome development; particularly given the challenges we have faced in recent years. Older workers bring a wealth of skills and experience to the industry, and we are confident that they will make a valuable contribution to the sector.”
Alastair Storey, chairman of Springboard, added: “For hospitality to strengthen its workforce, we must reach out to new audiences and champion our brilliant industry as a great place to work, open to anyone, regardless of qualifications.
“It’s encouraging that we’re now welcoming a more diverse workforce and that the Chancellor’s Spring Budget had such a strong focus on boosting UK workforces. We must continue to attract young talent, but the over 50s can also bring reliability, experience, and soft skills that are all essential for a successful career in hospitality.”
